LAHORE, Pakistan: Pak-US Business Council on Tuesday demanded immediate restoration of withheld $300 million US military aid to Pakistan and enhancing Pak-US mutual engagements.
On his return from Bhutan, Founder Chairman Pak-US Business Council and Chairman United Business Group Iftikhar Ali Malik while talking to media said Pakistan had paid a heavy price in war against terror and proposed cut in $300 million in Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to Pakistan by Trump administration was not justifiable. He said Pakistan had done its best despite constraints and shall continue its efforts for peace and stability in the region.
Chairman Young Entrepreneurs SAARC Chamber Shaharyar Ali Malik and former Vice President FPCCI Hameed Akhter Chhada were also present on the occasion at Lahore Airport.
Malik said a day earlier, US Commander in Afghanistan General John Nicholson met Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa and highly appreciated the role of Pakistan towards fight against the menace of terror and admitted that US cannot win war in Afghanistan soil without the active support of Pakistan which speaks of our sincere hectic efforts. He said the World had largely acknowledged the Pakistan colossal sacrifices.
Shedding lights on enhancing mutual trade relations, he said the Trump administration should give Pakistan a direct access to American markets and bilateral trade relationship could restore prosperity and peace inside Pakistan. He said Pakistan was emerging as a fast developing and modern republic in South Asia. He urged Pakistani-American businessmen to avail immense business potential in Pakistan.
Commenting on Pak-US bilateral relations, Iftikhar Ali Malik underscored that Pakistan had enjoyed longstanding partnership with the US over last 70 years. No doubt, there were ups and downs in the relationship between the two countries but history bears testimony to the fact that both the countries benefitted whenever they cooperated with each other, he added.
He said there was a strong bond of cooperation between the two countries in different fields such as education, defence, counter terrorism, health etc. which provides a strong foundation to further deepen the relations between the two countries.
